Ride to Brighton Half Marathon Sun 20 Feb

[Sylv]

Yep a good day out.

Went back to the roundabout after you left to wait for the runners on their way back, which was about km 10. Was getting really cold so when I saw Ian come past, in 2nd place about 45s behind first, I hopped on bike and asked the bike marshall if it was ok, yep it was fine - so did over 10km like that. Was quite impressive seeing my speedo doing 18-19km/h the whole way, and Ian looking composed even though he was obviously working hard, couldn't even hear him breathe just the tap-tap of his fluo shoes (if you'd see me running at that speed I'm pretty much close to sprinting speed and not looking pretty).

In the end he was 2min down on the winner who was skinny as can be. First woman 1h20 something (sorry Lucy!). Went into the Burger King but long queue didn't move in 3 minutes so went for sandwich and coffee in Costa instead. Somehow saw Lucy on my way back on the seafront in the midst of 8,000 runners. Lost a bit of time getting out of Brighton (and didn't know Devil's Dyke was a dead end!) and just fancied a direct route on the A23 but it was a bit stressful in the end, lots of traffic and long drag climbs - and longer than on the way down.

Near Crawley was getting a bit tired and decided against taking the clubrun lanes back via Charlwood - regretted that instantly as punctured front wheel just after. Due to my own fault both my spare tubes had a hole, and I hadn't packed the repair kit that day. Tied a knot to one tube and after losing almost half an hour getting cold was en route again with a not-too-wobbly front wheel. That soon needed re-inflating, and increasingly frequently - must have stopped a dozen times.

Don't often do rides that long and always seem to underestimate the constant feeding needs after a couple hours - had ran out of bananas and gel and was flagging. Stopped at Checkers again for much needed candies and coffee. Started raining, not too bad. Passed by Nonas but it was 2.30pm and already closed, wasn't going to stop anyway. Was well pleased to get home, good willpower test that was.

[Andrew G]

Sounds like a tough time getting home Sylv, I thought you knew your way home from Brighton and just heading up the A23 is pretty grim for the first bit anyway as it's very wide and very busy, and a constant drag .

I was surprised to see all 3 of you with no saddlepacks .

[Nick W]

Sorry to hear you had such a nightmare getting back Sylv. Sounds a bit too character building! As you say good quantities of food are required especially on such a cold day which, in itself, is enough to bun a fair few calories off.

I did drop in to Nonas and saw Jon, Sam, Amy and Andrew before they headed off.

Andrew, saddle bags are offensive to the aesthetes among us, as are lights.

Well ok I do have lights and mudguards on my commuter...

[Andrew G]

[quote="Nick W"]Andrew, saddle bags are offensive to the aesthetes among us

[Nick W]

Tyre levers (when remembered) can go in a pocket as can a spare tube/repair kit, to be fair. I planned on not needing them and happily my plan worked, on this ocassion.

[Sylv]

I had two tubes two levers and a multitool in a water bottle.

[Marcus]

Sounds like you all had a grand day out and besides the bonking, cold and fatigue will only make you all stronger.

The rest of us missed out.

[Jon C C on a Bianchi]

[quote="Marcus"]Sounds like you all had a grand day out and besides the bonking, cold and fatigue will only make you all stronger.

The rest of us missed out.

[quote="Jon C C on a Bianchi"][quote="Marcus"]The rest of us missed out.